I recently came across some discussion about WHY "anime fans stopped watching anime movies," and I realized that I wasn't sure if that statement was even true?

I watched anime movies as a kid (read: Pokemon & Digimon), but since then, the only ones I have watched were ones people highly recommended (and there's only one or two) or related to an anime series I really loved (like Madoka Magika).

So that got me wondering: do anime fans still watch movies?

I can think of a few reasons why they might not. For example, the discrepancies with streaming and time until availability with subs is probably a huge factor, because I know a lot of movies aren't simulcast & even if you can find them, waiting for the to be subbed can take quite a while. So if you don't speak Japanese, you're out of luck.

Movie pictured: Welcome to the Space Show

Not only that, but there's also the feeling that movies are kind of "one and done."

I know a lot of fans like to binge watch anime so it's the same concept in theory, but for many fans the idea of watching anime & then coming to a place (like our Nakama here ^^) to discuss the ongoing show / what might happen / etc. Sure, you can do that with a movie, but is it really the same?

Movie pictured: The Garden of Words

Personally,

The reason I don't watch many largely has to do with pacing. If I'm watching a movie (of any kind, not just anime movies) it's usually because I'm cleaning my room or doing something else & I just want background noise. If I'm sitting down to actually watch something, I prefer the pacing of watching 4 regular length episodes than watching one 2-hour movie.

I love anime movies! The ones that are originals like Wolf Children, Spirited Away, Summer Wars and etc. are the ones that I especially adore. The anime movies like for Naruto or Fairy Tail are just fun pass times, but original anime movies are just gorgeous to watch.